On Tenderhooks during My Public Radio Fundraiser

Three times a year my public radio station conducts its fundraiser. As the economy has weakened and millions of hard-working Americans have lost their jobs, their retirement plans and their health care, public radio faces a steeper and steeper climb to meet its fund-raising goals.

Initially the drives were $600,000. With government support of public radio being cut, it rose first to $800,000 and now to a cool $1 million. That means three times a year my favorite station must raise $1 million to maintain its operations. This at the same time that increasing numbers of its faithful listeners are less capable of maintaining, let alone increasing their support. At the same time, the importance of public radio and television has increased as a source of educational material and public information during an era in which budget cuts are dismantling quality public education and for-profit media has descended to the lowest common denominator.

As I write, the eighth day of WAMC's fund drive is waning. They have not yet reached the $800,000 mark. For many years the drives ended on the sixth or seventh day. This one promises to last a week and a half. This is a station that provides an independent voice in a sea of corporate-sponsored mainstream media that blatantly espouses a far-right agenda. This is a station that REFUSES to talk down to its listeners at the same time it gives them a voice.

My station does not have a university sponsor. It must get its revenue from underwriters, sponsors and its listeners. Will it make it one more time? Will it get the funds that enable it to stay on the air for four more months?

My lips to God's ear.

Note: if you are interested in pledging call 1-800-323-9262.